The purpose of this assgnment is to help you develop your skills as a reviewer of a book which is a factual narrative or analysis of a apecific historical problem, event or concept. The questions are designed to call your attention to specific a aspects of the book which you would need to communicate to the reader of your review.
Select any secondary historical work. Avoid choosing general textbooks and encyclopedic works. Select a book covering a specific event, a limited time period, a specific theme, or a biography. To be sure you have found a proper book, show the book selected to your instructor for approval.
Answer each question in full sentences and serially by number. For clarity, skip a space between each answer and keep a margin of at least 1 and 1/2 inches on the left side of the paper. Always illustrate your general statements by reference to specific details which prove your point.

1. Give the full name of the author, the title (underline), the place of publication (city), the name of the publisher and the date. If it is a second or third edition, or a reprint, indicate appropriate dates of the original publication.
2. In 200-250 words, describe the subjectmatter of the book (its main theme); the setting: time frame and place; the basic problem(s) discussed; the key difficulties surrounding it (them); the way the problem was resolved.
3. Describe the kinds of sources used by the author, i.e. documentary, numismatic, artistic, archaeological; primary or secondary. Be specific in illustrating each type by giving examples. (i.e. documentary: the U.S. declaration of independance of 1776.)
4. Did the author encounteer any special problems in finding or using his sources (gaps, forgery, contradictory accounts, biased reports)? Dis te author show any personal bias in the account? Explain.
5. Did the author used visual aids to clarify the reader's understanding of the text? (photos, maps, drawings, charts, original paintings or archaeological objects, etc.) Describe them giving examples used. Comment on their usefulness i.e. how did they help the reader?
6. What was the author's expressed purpose in composing this book? (Check the introduction or preface where this is usually found). Having read the book, how well do you think he has succeeded in his purpose?
7. Has the author used any unusual scientific method to discover data used in the book? (i.e. statistical analysis, carbon 14 testing, aerial photography, excavation, etc.) has he attempted to present a distinctly new or revised view of the subject?
8. Compare the material in your selected book with that on the same subject in the textbook. To what extent does your selected reading add to your understanding of the subject beyound that found in your textbook? Explain. Would you recommend it to another student?